Monday, April 7, 2014
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Labels:
an,
exhaust,
find,
how,
leak,
to
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The exhaust system on a vehicle is designed to carry the burned engine gases away from the car, according to www.autoeducation.com. If there is even one exhaust leak, these gases, which include poisonous carbon monoxide, can end up seeping into the passenger area. Exhaust leaks also affect the performance of the engine because the exhaust controls the emissions. This can lead to lower gas mileage and malfunctions with a vehicles computerized system. Thats why you need to find an exhaust leak as soon as possible.
Instructions
1 Park the vehicle on a level spot and set the emergency brake. Crawl underneath the vehicle with a trouble light and a wire brush. Position yourself so you can see the exhaust system. It runs from the tailpipe up to where it disappears into the engine compartment.
2 Move the trouble light slowly up and down the exhaust as you inspect it. Look for places where black carbon has built up. This can indicate theres a hole in the pipe. Scrape away the carbon with the wire brush and look for an exhaust leak.
3 Look for rusted areas on the exhaust pipe. Moisture, salt on the roadways, and other factors can cause rust to form. The rust eats through the metal and creates leaks. Clean rust spots with the wire brush and look for holes in the metal.
4 Inspect the exhaust pipe for dents, dings and other signs of damage. These areas may indicate places where the pipe was damaged. If you drove over debris in the roadway or across a bumpy railroad crossing, for example, (especially if the vehicle sits low), the exhaust may have gotten a hole in it.
5 Inspect the joints connecting the exhaust system together, according to www.basiccarrepair.com. These are common places for a leak to occur. Make sure they are tightened together and arent rusted, or are otherwise damaged.
6 Start the vehicle and raise the hood. Listen for hisses or popping noises, according to www.aa1car.com. Look for discolored or burned paint by the exhaust ports on the cylinder head. Check the sparkplug wires and the rubber boots for signs of heat damage caused by an exhaust leak.
Monday, December 2, 2013
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Labels:
bulbs,
find,
headlights,
how,
in,
out,
replacement,
to,
use,
vehicle,
what
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Vehicle headlights are not only a safety feature that improves vision in the dark and rain and allows other vehicles to see you at night, they are also required by law. You must replace headlights as soon as they begin to dim and immediately if they burn out completely. Since vehicle headlights come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, you must examine the vehicle to determine which one will fit.
Instructions
1 Open the hood of the vehicle and lean inside to look at the back of one of the headlights. Locate the wire that attaches to the back of the light, which is the power supply. Pull the wire straight out from the back of the light. In some cases, the wire will have a small tab that you squeeze before removing it.
2 Grasp the rubber cover on the back of the light, called the dust cover, and pull it straight out from the light to remove it.
3 Locate the metal clip that covers the back of the headlight and holds it in place. Press down on the top of the clip to lower it away from the light.
4 Grasp the bottom of the bulb, which will be clearly visible in the center of the headlight and pull it out away from the light.
5 Look at the metal base of the light bulb for printed words, which will identify the bulb type and wattage. The most common types of headlight bulbs are sizes H1, H4 or H7.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
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Labels:
find,
for,
how,
number,
part,
the,
to,
volkswagens
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Volkswagen is Europes leading automotive manufacturer. As of 2011, Volkswagen produces 14 car models. The company is also well-known for creating the classic Beetle and Vanagon. Volkswagen parts have unique numbers assigned to them so that they can be easily tracked and replaced when necessary. Specific makes and models of Volkswagen vehicles require specific parts with unique numbers. The situation that has left you looking for a part will determine the best way to go about finding its number.
Instructions
1 Look on the part. Part numbers will normally be visible somewhere on the parts themselves. The number will consist of three groups of three digits, which may be followed by a series of letters.
2 Locate the vehicle identification number. The VIN can be used to locate appropriate parts for all vehicles created after 1983. The VIN will be located on any paperwork you have regarding the vehicles title or service history. The VIN also is usually found several places within the vehicle, including on the dash and the drivers side door. The VIN is 17 characters long. Representatives at dealerships and parts stores will be able to tell you the appropriate part numbers based on the VIN.
3 Determine the number yourself. There is a system to creating product numbers. The first set of digits corresponds with the make and model of the vehicle. The next three are for the main group part and the parts sub-group. The final three are for the component. With some knowledge of cars, access to parts numbers on the Internet and accessibility to the numbers for other functioning parts, an educated and detail-oriented person may be able to determine the part number.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
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Labels:
a,
find,
for,
how,
spare,
tire,
to,
tube
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Cars no longer use tubes. All car tires are tubeless. However, if the spare tire in your trunk wont hold air, it might mean that the wheel itself is defective or has a small leak and air is leaking out through the rim. If this is the case, you can have a tube installed in the tire for limited use. There are tubes of all sizes and they are very forgiving if they are close to the right size.
Instructions
1 Take the spare tire out of the trunk. Inspect the side of the tire.
2 Look for the distinction marked either "P" for passenger tire, or a "T" meaning temporary service. The next numbers are 225/50. These are common to all tires, so dont worry about these numbers.
3 Look after the numbers 225/50 for the number 13, 14, 15 or 16. This is the size of the wheel. It might be any of these.
4 Purchase a tube coordinating it with the letter and the wheel size. Look on the side of the package for the sizes. Some tubes actually are interchangeable, and they will be clearly marked if they are.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
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Labels:
cars,
find,
how,
junk,
to
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Auto junkyards are a great place to find not only a huge supply of cheap spare parts, but occasionally a working car too. Junkyards generally carry different vehicles. Unless you are seeking certain car make, you might be able to find something without much effort. Many junkyards countrywide are affiliated, which makes it easier to find cars if one place does not have a certain vehicle.
Instructions
1 Find an auto junkyard near you. YardQuest.com has a comprehensive list of yards by state. You also could check the local paper for a nearby yard.
2 Know exactly what you want. Yards contain many different car types. Determine which car make, model and year you are seeking. If you are seeking a spare part, know what the part is called.
3 Contact your chosen junkyard by phone or email to check that they have what you seek. Junkyard owners will be able to tell you if they have a certain car or part before you make a trip.
4 Ask about the facilities the yard offers. Some allow you to bring tools to remove spare parts. Others will have workers on hand who can perform that task for you.
